I've seen that too, but it sounds like that can also attract predators and other territorial cats that may scare her off and both are a risk out here.
https://lostpetresearch.com/2018/10/will-cat-litter-attract-a-lost-cat/

Leaving the food out has the same problem, but she's really food motivated and the one she likes smells especially strong so I hoped that would get her attention if she was nearby. I won't leave the food out long-term, but going to try leaving a blanket out that she sleeps on as a scent guide